Utility service clamp



Sept. 29, 1942. 'H J 2,296,968

UTILITY SERVICE CLAMP Filed Feb. 24, 1941 INV ENT OR.

' H. Wir'z Jr.

Patented Sept. 29, 1942 UTILITY SERVICE CLAMP Herman Wirz, Jr., Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Wm. S. Gorey, Tujunga, Calif.

Application February 24, 1941, Serial No. 380,159

3 Claims.

This invention relates to utility service clamps.

The general object of the invention is to provide an improved clamp or coupling member which can be placed over a conduit for the purpose of providing an outlet to the conduit or for repairing a leak in the same.

A more specific object of my invention is to provide a service clamp including a pair of interlocking members, having novel means thereon for engagement with a pipe.

A further object of my invention is to provide a service clamp which includes novel self-spacing means for locating the device on a pipe.

Another object of the invention is to provide a clamp member including novel means for holding the clamp upon a pipe.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a utility outlet device, including members movable to engage a pipe and wherein a novel lead or other packing means is employed to make a liquid-tight joint.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is an end view of the two portions of my clamp device separated and superimposed,

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the interior of the inner portion of the clamp device.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the interior of the outer portion of the clamp device.

Fig. 4 is an end view of the clamp device operatively mounted on a pipe in the initial position.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the clamp device 5/ turned 90 degrees to its service position.

Fig. 6 is a section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5. Fig. '7 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on line l'| of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary section similar to Fig. 8 showing the lead caulked; and

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 6 showing a modified form of my clamp device.

Referring to the drawing by reference characters, I have shown my invention as embodied in a utility clamp, which is indicated generally at I8. As shown, the clamp includes a pair of interengaging clamping members II and I2.

The clamping member I I includes an elongated body I3 having a semi-cylindrical recess I4 therein. Along each edge of the body I provide a rounded outwardly directed bead I5, and intermediate the beads I may provide a laterally directed outlet I6, which may be of any particular type or kind or which may be omitted entirely if a coupling only is desired.

The exterior of the body between the beads is provided with an outwardly directed stifiening flange H which provides a recess I8 between the flanges.

Within the cylindrical recess I4 the wall thereof includes a plurality of inwardly projecting bosses |9. These bosses are separated by circumferentially extending channels 20 and by channels 2| which extend along the axis of the body. The edges of the bosses are preferably diagonally arranged as at 22 about the outlet I6. The grooves 20 and 2| provide lead receiving conduits as will be later explained. The body I3 includes circumferentially extending, inwardly opening grooves 23 disposed adjacent each end thereof. These grooves are open ended and serve as lead receiving and conducting conduits.

The companion clamping member I2, like the member II, includes a body 24 having a semicylindrical recess 25 therein. This body at each edge has an outwardly extending peripheral lug 25, which has a longitudinally extending groove 2'! therein. The grooves 21 receive the beads I5 and are larger than these beads to provide recesses 28 which are to receive lead, as will be later described.

The member I2 includes strengthening end flanges 29 which extend over the lugs 26. The member I2 also includes an inwardly directed boss 39 which, like the bosses I9, is adapted to engage the pipe. The boss 30 is spaced from the grooves 27 and also spaced from inwardly opening and groves 3|, which are arranged in the member I2. The grooves 3| align with the grooves 23 when the members II and I2 are interlocked. Each bead I5 is provided with a. notch 32 which forms a guide for a resilient packing member 33.

In use the members II and I2 are assembled on a pipe 34, as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6 of the drawing. The packing members 33, which may be of rubber and fabric or other material, are then inserted in notches 32. To prevent the lead from running out of the ends of the spaces 23, they are covered by a retaining material 35, such as clay, as shown in Figs. '7 and 8. The hot lead is then poured into the space 28, between the upper edge of the boss 26 and the adjacent wall of the member I I. This lead runs down until it contacts the gasket 33 which stops its flow. This is done on both sides of the clamp and the lead is allowed to cool. It is then caulked. The spaces without the gasket 33 are now sealed.

The entire clamp is then swung through 90 degrees to the position shown in Figs. 5 and 6, a number of wedges 38, best shown in Fig. 6 are inserted in the space between the members I l and I 2, and the pipe to properly center the clamp upon the pipe. At each end of the clamp I then arrange a retaining ring 36, which may be made of soft clay or other suitablematerial. This clay engages the ends of the clamping members and also engages the pipe and at the top of the clay is formed out to provide a pouring gate 31. I also insert enough clay in aperture l6 to completely fill and engage the pipe. This stops the hot lead from running out and also forms the inner edge of the lead gasket.

Molten lead is then poured into the gates 31. This lead runs downwardly through the grooves 23 and 3| and gradually fills the spacebetween the clamp and the pipe. The bosses 2| and 30, practically engage the pipe and reduce the amount of lead required. The lead will run around these bosses gradually filling the space, withthe level of the lead rising until the entire space provided for its reception between the pipe and the clamping members is filled. The

lead is then allowed to cool and the clay 36, and

the wedges are removed. The exposed ends of the lead are then caulked by suitablydriving it firmly into place as indicated at 39 in Fig. 9.

If the device is used as a service outlet, the aperture l6 which has been closed while the joint was made is opened and caulked, then used as a center and a hole is out in the pipe 34, after which a service connection is made. The bosses I9 and 30 engage the pipe while the joint is being made and thus make the device self-spacing or self-centering.

In Fig. 10 I have indicated a modified form of m invention generally at 40. As shown the device 40 is similar in all respects to the previously described clamp device I0 except that the bosses l9 and 30 are omitted, so therefore I have indicated like portions by similarly primed reference numerals. In this modification thicker wedge members are employed.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have invented a novel service clamp which can be economically manufactured and which requires only a minimum of lead or other material for providing a tight joint. It will also be observed that I have provided a clamp which can be readily installed and which is not likely to be destroyed either by fluid pressure or by electrolysis or by other distinctive agencies. This eliminates the expenditure of large sums of money for replacement of bolts, bales, and nuts which have broken due to rust and electrolysis, and also eliminates the cost for replacement of pavement, excavations, etc., incidental to repair of leaks.

Having thus described by invention, I claim:

1. In a utility service clamp, a pair of interengaging clamping members, one of the clamping members including an arcuate body having a semi-cylindrical recess therein and having peripheral outwardly directed cylindrical beads along the edges of the recess parallel to the axis of the recess, the other clamping member being complemental to the first clamping member and having a semi-cylindrical recess therein, said other clamping member having an outwardly directed peripheral lug extending along each edge thereof parallel to the axis of said recess, each of said lugs having a longitudinal groove therein receiving the beads of said one clamping member, said grooves being larger than the beads to provide an arcuate lead receiving space, each of said beads having a channel, a gasket in each channel, there being a lead receiving groove between the upper edge of the other member lug and the adjacent wall of the first member.

2.,In a utility service clamp, a pair of interengaging clamping members, one of the clamping members including an arcuate body having a semi-cylindrical recess therein and having peripheral outwardly directed beads along the edges of the recess, the other clamping member being complemental to the first clamping member and having a semi-cylindrical recess therein, said other clamping member having an outwardly directed peripheral lug extending along each edge thereof, each of said lugs having a longitudinal groove therein receiving the beads of said one clamping member, said beads each having a circumferential lead conducting channel therein providing an arcuate lead receiving space, a gasket in each space, a filling of lead in each space at each side of the gasket therein, said members having aligned inwardly directed lead conducting grooves in their inner semi-cylindrical faces and adjacent each end thereof and a filling of lead in said grooves.

3. In a utility service clamp, a pair of interengaging clamping members, one of the clamping members including an arcuate body having a semi-cylindrical recess therein and having peripheral outwardly directed beads along the edges of the recess, the other clamping member being complemental to the first clamping memher and. having a semi-cylindrical recess therein, said other clamping member having an outwardly directed peripheral lug extending along each edge thereof, each of said lugs having a longitudinal groove therein receiving the beads of said one clamping member, said beads each having an outwardly extending flange at each end thereof providing a lead receiving groove between the upper edge of the other member lug and the adjacent wall of the first member, said members having aligned inwardly directed lead conducting grooves in their inner semi-cylindrical faces and adjacent each end thereof.

HERMAN WIRZ, JR. 

